Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2024-25: Re-Tool, Re-Group, Re-Mix, Re-Build

[periferal]

I have been a Lou supporter and IMO, he has certainly done a lot for this organization, but
He turns 83 next fall and the way this season has gone - there needs to be a succession plan.

My hope is that Lou retires after this season and Roy becomes the new GM.
Roy is a champion, he is candid and passionate, and I love the direction he has taken the team, albeit it has not resulted in points.

The roster needs a serious shake-up and I would like to see some fresh ideas, but I do not think it is necessary to blow this up.

Happy to see you agree Lou needs to go.

I like Roy's fire, but there's literally zero proof or suggestion that this guy deserves to be an NHL GM. And if Lou truly wanted him here then I think I'd like a clean slate where Malkin chooses the next team President (and maybe GM).

I have no problem taking a chance on a young exec in another NHL teams front office, but I'd like our next GM to have some front office experience (but not have the last name "Lamoriello"). Given some of the pathetic GM's we've had over the years (with garth snow being a lowlight among them), would be nice if the next Isles GM wasn't an NHL player a few days earlier.

My 10 Potential Trades for Brock Nelson (@ 50%)

1. Carolina: 2025 1st and Bradley Nadeau (Keep an eye on Nadeau at the WJC—this could be a smart pickup.)
2. Dallas: 2025 1st and Lian Bischel (I’d push for Bischel, especially since Dallas might look to re-sign Brock.)
3. Minnesota: Charlie Stramel and Liam Ohgren (A strong duo of prospects who fit a retooling strategy.)
4. St. Louis: 2025 1st + an assortment of picks (A simpler package but still effective.)
5. Vancouver: 2025 1st and Elias Pettersson (LHD) (Not sure the Canucks would trade Pettersson, especially if they can’t re-sign Brock. Might make sense to settle for an assortment of picks.)
6. Boston: 2025 1st + an assortment of picks (Classic Bruins move, stocking up for a playoff run. The move allows Bruins to Zacha to LW - maybe Frederic could be a piece that comes back - if Isles can resign him.)
7. Winnipeg: 2025 1st and Elias Salomonsson (Salomonsson could be a solid piece for the Isles’ blue line depth.)
8. Colorado: Calum Ritchie, Zellers, and a pick (A promising return, especially if there’s potential for Brock to re-sign there.)
9. Utah: 2025 1st and Cole Beaudoin (A strong pick-and-prospect combo.)
10. Los Angeles: 2025 1st and Alex Greentree (Greentree might be a reach—could end up being Turcotte or an assortment of picks instead.)

The UTAH, Dallas, and Carolina deals are ones I like - a #1 and a solid prospect who can be an NHL in a season or 2.

Given that as long as Lou is running the show Nelson will not only not be traded, but resigned until his late 30's when he's already tailing off...I would take any of those deals happily.

A shame the shiity islanders can’t play the equally shitty rags now. Would be a great match. Gotta wait 2 more months for that.

Nah. Gives the rangers time to get their "shit" together a bit. The last thing you want is them picking before us in June.

 

[periferal]

The succession plan is to fire him immediately and then hire anyone without his last name as an interim or permanent GM.

I don’t think it’s necessary to say nice things about our 2 Cup runs while he was GM. My retort would be to say “What have you done for me lately?” Nada.

One last note. I blame the owners more than Lou. They have accommodated Lou and been far too hands off in their oversight. Clearly this is not in their skill set, but that’s also not a great excuse.

This post is

Just remember that Trotz was the #1 reason for our success from 2019-2021. He took the only open coaching gig available to him when he wasn't resigned by the Caps. If he didn't come here and Lou had to choose another coach I can promise you you wouldn't have seen the Isles in the conference finals and instead looking much more like the team Lou has "built" today.

 

[The Real JT]

Given that as long as Lou is running the show Nelson will not only not be traded, but resigned until his late 30's when he's already tailing off...I would take any of those deals happily.




Nah. Gives the rangers time to get their "shit" together a bit. The last thing you want is them picking before us in June.

I have felt that trading Nelson made sense at a number of times over the last 1+ years. His continued productivity has surprised me so arguably I was premature on that. We may now be on the other end of that spectrum where we may end up waiting too long.

The next 6-8 weeks are key for the Isles in having both Nelson and Palmieri keep up their goal scoring. Even with that, we are at the mercy of who else may be buyers and sellers at the TDL. Lastly and regrettably, the league in general doesn’t value our talent as much as I think they should (and honestly that’s not all that high).

 

[periferal]

As always, Chapin with a gem of a post...

All of the thoughts about who to trade and how to get a re-tooling going, as fun as they are, seem to be totally moot until another GM is installed.

Even if the owners would tell Lou he can make some moves, he shouldn't be the guy doing it.

10,000% this. Lou has bled this franchise to the point that another person needs to save it. Even mandated by Malkin to sell it's not something he would normally do so good chance he makes things worse.

The problem is that no way Malkin "fires" Lou. He'll be given a PR sendoff as he "retires" and that won't happen midseason. In that case a new GM would not be here for the trade deadline....And that is both sad and scary given what we could get for Nelson and Palmieri (as opposed to losing them for nothing).

You get someone new in here and give him the green light to take the franchise in a (somewhat) different direction.

No need to move Sorokin, Horvat, Romanov, Holmstrom, or Tsyplakov. Naturally, you can continue on with Barzal and Dobson, or you can play with the idea of moving them for similar talents.

Nelson, Palms, Pageau, Lee, Pulock, Pelech... Maybe even Mayfield, Varlamov, and Cizikas...

Yes - A fresh direction would be so welcomed. We all know what this team is and it's not just losing, but it's boring while doing it. Would be nice to be excited about some young players. That is so desperately needed.

And while there's no "need" to move Sorokin, Horvat, Romanov, Holmstrom, or Tsyplakov, if a great deal comes along then you move them without flinching. The team sucks with them so we don't NEED them.

A new GM could start playing around and moving pieces here and there to take the team in another direction.

But it's gotta be a breath of fresh air. It's gotta be a new guy brought in with the express purpose of moving this team in another direction.

That staleness that sets in before the guy calling the shots is switched out... Yep, that's been here for a while now.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

I swear I'd make Chapin GM over Lou. he's smart, rational, and I have no doubt knows minor league players/prospects better than Lou does. And what he doesn't know he would listen to those around him. With Lou it's a failed dictatorship.

 

[periferal]

I have felt that trading Nelson made sense at a number of times over the last 1+ years. His continued productivity has surprised me so arguably I was premature on that. We may now be on the other end of that spectrum where we may end up waiting too long.

The next 6-8 weeks are key for the Isles in having both Nelson and Palmieri keep up their goal scoring. Even with that, we are at the mercy of who else may be buyers and sellers at the TDL. Lastly and regrettably, the league in general doesn’t value our talent as much as I think they should (and honestly that’s not all that high).

Totally agree that Nelson has started to fade. However the playoffs seem to be very wide open this year, many teams will need center help, Nelson is an all around player, and with him being a UFA this summer the trading team takes on no risk - Only upside. From this standpoint there will be a bunch of good interest.

The biggest problem I see is that Nelson has a 16 team no trade clause. No doubt he would eliminate a bunch of those playoff teams for one reason or another. This will handcuff the return.

But again...I don't expect him to be traded because you know why.

 

[Throttle]

If Nelson is being traded to a team clearly in the top 6 in the NHL, then he’s gonna waive his NTC.

If it’s a team teetering on the playoffs, then one can surmise maybe/maybe so.

His agent at this point should have already assessed the market as a UFA for him based on ice fit and cap space (space can always be moved too).

No one knows Brock’s personal situation on whether he would welcome a change to ride out his career, take a 2-3 month detour, and/or resign in the summer.

The return rate on UFAs traded, then resigned in the summer is extremely low. I can see it with Palms and even Nelson, but most players don’t want to return to a team that traded them away - they take that personal, despite ‘it’s business.’

 

[Throttle]

How about Dobson (the 70 point version), JGP, and Czikas for EP40 and Desharnais?

I’d prefer to swap Barzal/EP40 + something to make the money work.

 

[iggy]

How about Dobson (the 70 point version), JGP, and Czikas for EP40 and Desharnais?

I’d prefer to swap Barzal/EP40 + something to make the money work.

Done. Do it

 

[Rehabguy]

Given some of the pathetic GM's we've had over the years (with garth snow being a lowlight among them)

I kinda blame you for paving the way for Lamiorello . I'd rank the Islanders GMs from best to worse as:

Bill Torrey
Garth Snow
Lou Lamiorello
Don Maloney
Mike Milbury

I mean, I agree everything after Bill Torrey is pretty sad in fact I can't think of any franchise that had as many clowns as GMs as the Islanders have.

 

[bromanagro]

At least we are not late 90s bad.

 

[IslandersGER]

At least we are not late 90s bad.

the mid 20s bad will create a new standard

 

[12Dog]

At least we are not late 90s bad.

Those teams had way different problems
Ownership wouldn’t spend a nickel, in a non cap league

 

[IslandersGER]

The problem is that no way Malkin "fires" Lou. He'll be given a PR sendoff as he "retires" and that won't happen midseason

why not? Lou is 83 and at this age you always can create circumstances to retire. no need to wait until season is over

 

[leeroggy]

I kinda blame you for paving the way for Lamiorello . I'd rank the Islanders GMs from best to worse as:

Bill Torrey
Garth Snow
Lou Lamiorello
Don Maloney
Mike Milbury

I mean, I agree everything after Bill Torrey is pretty sad in fact I can't think of any franchise that had as many clowns as GMs as the Islanders have.

The Jets

 

[Arsenalogist24]

Hutton waived

 

[Glorydays22]

How about Dobson (the 70 point version), JGP, and Czikas for EP40 and Desharnais?

I’d prefer to swap Barzal/EP40 + something to make the money work.

I don't think a new GM will want to move a 24 yr old scoring RD. Not until he brings in a new system and coach to see if they can fix him. Too young to give up on him just yet.

To me, I think you have to keep the "New" core for the next GM to work with i.e - Brazal, Dobson, Sorokin, Romanov, Hovat (only because no one will touch contract) and possibly Tsyplakov because he's only 26.

We just have to concentrate moving - the old core - Nelson, Parms, Lee, JGP, Czikas, Pelech, Mayfield and maybe Pullock if the price is right. And no one can tell me we can't get someone to take them. Look at the Rangers and Trouba, he is horrible, the captain of the Rangers, and they actually got something in return with our giving up assets!! And there are other cases, look at TB what they did with McDonagh when they moved him to Nashville. They didn't give him a choice. Go to Nash or go to the minors.

 

[SI]

There's like 0 percent Chase wild are trading a top prospect. let alone two. It's not happening. Their Gm has made that clear since taking over and hasn't traded any top prospects, let alone prospects. He has traded one small prospect. Lol.

Thank you for your POV -
The post is an exploration of potential returns, obviously coloured through an Isles lens.

IF the WIld would be in the market for Brock Nelson at the TDL at 50% retention, then the WILD, who are without a #1 pick in 2025, may have to consider dealing prospects to land the vet C.
If that price is too high, like you have said, then sure the Wild would not be a candidate for landing Nelson.

 

[periferal]

why not? Lou is 83 and at this age you always can create circumstances to retire. no need to wait until season is over

Well I'd like to think that you are right, but just not usually how things operate for a "legend" like Lou. And especially since Ledecky has gone out of his way in public over the years to express how much they love Lou and how much confidence they have in him.

 

[Top Corner]

The special teams - not just the PP - the PK is historically BAD.


I don't mind that GM being named Roy.

If they replace Lou, it will most likely be another rethread GM and I would much rather see Roy step up and shape the direction of this team. IMO.

I think if ownership doesn't want to tear it down but re-tool, it has to be Roy only because he's got some experience running a junior franchise and has been the coach here and knows the players strengths and weaknesses.
Undoubtedly he's the closest thing to making it work.

 

[Top Corner]

As for Nelson and any other player not in the team's future need to get moved sooner than later.
Don't want a DeHaan repeat... Plus, I certainly don't want to hear we were fighting for a playoff spot and held onto him. It's time to try and get younger and also try and compete for a playoff spot with newly acquired younger assets. Buffalo has to be needing leadership and like us, a new look !

 

[miscs75]

IF the WIld would be in the market for Brock Nelson at the TDL at 50% retention, then the WILD, who are without a #1 pick in 2025, may have to consider dealing prospects to land the vet C.

If that price is too high, like you have said, then sure the Wild would not be a candidate for landing Nelson.

The next 1st they have available technically is the 2027. That does nothing in the near future for this team if the Isles want to retool quickly. Ideally Brock could fetch a 2025 1st (plus something) from another playoff team. Warroad (his hometown) is in the middle of Winnipeg and Minnesota based on geography so Winnipeg might be a better option.

 

[Glorydays22]

Once again, the Isles waited too long. Now Kappo from the Rangers is the hot talks about him going to the Wild. Trade value of Nelson is going down, day by day. You'll see......

Lou once again is going to screw the isles. Nelson is invisible for most of this year. He's probably headed for his worst season (projected 25-25-50) in a while.

Lou resigns him for 6M for another 4 years....book it.

 

[Throttle]

I don't think a new GM will want to move a 24 yr old scoring RD. Not until he brings in a new system and coach to see if they can fix him. Too young to give up on him just yet.

To me, I think you have to keep the "New" core for the next GM to work with i.e - Brazal, Dobson, Sorokin, Romanov, Hovat (only because no one will touch contract) and possibly Tsyplakov because he's only 26.

We just have to concentrate moving - the old core - Nelson, Parms, Lee, JGP, Czikas, Pelech, Mayfield and maybe Pullock if the price is right. And no one can tell me we can't get someone to take them. Look at the Rangers and Trouba, he is horrible, the captain of the Rangers, and they actually got something in return with our giving up assets!! And there are other cases, look at TB what they did with McDonagh when they moved him to Nashville. They didn't give him a choice. Go to Nash or go to the minors.

That’s fair. I was trying to find an acceptable path forward where the Isles don’t want to pay Dobson $8/9M and can leverage him for another player and still keep Barzal.

Dobson’s contract is a real wild card for this team. If he turns into a Nurse/Jones clone, the Isles are in a rough spot.

To change this team, a major contracted forward needs to go, same with a defenseman. Adjusting the fringe ain’t gonna move the needle much.

I would just use Barzal for a player swap to end the ongoing misery of believing he’s anything more than a Alexei Kovalev - and you don’t build a competitive team around such a player.

 

[NYI365]

Once again, the Isles waited too long. Now Kappo from the Rangers is the hot talks about him going to the Wild. Trade value of Nelson is going down, day by day. You'll see......

Lou once again is going to screw the isles. Nelson is invisible for most of this year. He's probably headed for his worst season (projected 25-25-50) in a while.

Lou resigns him for 6M for another 4 years....book it.

Kk to Seattle

 

[Throttle]

Ron Francis. The slow build to nowhere.